Plastic Bag Ban - Discussion Paper Available

The State Government is implementing a light weight plastic bag ban from 1 July 2018 to reduce litter and plastic pollution.

The ban is proposing to make it illegal (new regulations under Environmental Protection Act 1986) for all retailers to supply lightweight single-use plastic bags with handles and a thickness of 35 microns or less. Biodegradable, degradable and compostable bags could also be included. Items not banned: bin liners, dog poo bags, nappy bags, barrier/ produce bags, paper bags and heavier weight plastic bags.

Annually Western Australians use approximately 360 million light weight plastic bags, with an estimated 5 million being littered every year. Plastic bags are unsightly, impact on animals and the environment.

To protect our own precious waterways and oceans, Council resolved to support a state-wide ban on plastic bags in December 2016.